TV Ads Seen By Kids In 2009 Touted Unhealthful Foods, Drinks

Foods and drinks advertised on TV programs – both children’s and others – in 2009 were generally less nutritious than foods promoted during regular broadcast hours, according to a new U.S. study. Researchers analyzed Nielsen TV ratings data from 2009 to determine what kind of food advertising children were exposed to. They then analyzed the nutritional content of the foods advertised on shows with a child-audience share of 35 percent of greater. More than 84 percent of food and beverage ads seen by children, ages 2 to 11, on all programming touted products high in fats, sugars and sodium. On children's programming, more than 95 percent of ads were for products high in those unhealthy ingredients.